HAR §17-1737-92. Corneal transplant (keratoplasty)

(a) Indications of penetrating keratoplasty include: (1) Corneal opacification that sufficiently obscures visibility (vision) through the anterior segment of the eye with at least light perception present. Causes for this problem include: (A) Corneal injury and scarring; (B) Corneal degeneration (from Fuch's or other dystrophy or from previous cataract or intraocular lens implantation, or both); (C) Corneal degeneration from keratoconus or familial causes; (D) Corneal infection (e.g., herpes); and (2) Therapeutic graft for relief of pain with at least light perception vision present, from corneal degeneration because of inflammation with pain in the eye and useful vision still present. (b) Indications of lemellar keratoplasty include: (1) Superficial layer corneal scarring and deformity due to: (A) Trauma; (B) Degeneration; (C) Infection; or (D) Congenital deformity (anterior); (2) Aphakia; (3) High myopia; (4) High refractive error; (5) Keratoconus; and (6) Recurrent pterygium. (c) Conditions and limitations affecting corneal transplant include: (1) A relative contraindication is intractable glaucoma in the eye under consideration for surgery; (2) No active eye infection at the time of surgery; (3) No general medical contraindications to surgery or anesthesia; (4) Informed consent shall be obtained from the patient or patient's representative; and (5) No age restriction. [Eff 08/01/94 ] (Auth: HRS §346-14; 42 C.F.R. §431.10) (Imp: 42 C.F.R. §440.230; 42 U.S.C. §1396b(i))